What is the Law of Attraction?

Can you really use the law of attraction to help create a better life for yourself? If you think it’s just a bunch of hocus pocus, read on. There is plenty of evidence of the LOA at work in your life every day, whether you’ve ever noticed it or not.

In very basic terms, the law of attraction simply says that “like attracts like”. What we focus on in our minds, we attract into our reality. Negative thoughts attract negative experiences. Positive thoughts attract positive experiences.

These days it is often referred to as The Secret, due to the film and book of the same name by Australian writer and producer Rhonda Byrne. Though the “discoveries” revealed in The Secret are not new, Ms. Byrne certainly deserves credit for introducing the Law of Attraction to millions of people around the world.

One very good answer to the question What is the Law of Attraction? comes from Louise Hay, who has been called the “mother of positive thinking” in our time. She says:

The law of attraction is that our thinking creates and brings to us whatever we think about. It’s as though every time we speak a word, the universe is listening and responding to us.”

It’s easy to think of examples of the Law of Attraction at work in our everyday lives. For instance, you spend weeks dreading the annual office party because it’s always so boring. When you arrive, it’s pretty much what you had imagined. You don’t have a single conversation that is in the least bit interesting.

It’s what you asked for, so the universe delivered it.

In his book Beyond Positive Thinking, Dr. Robert Anthony says that the primary job of the subconscious mind is to follow the instructions it receives from the conscious mind. That is, it’s always working to prove to us that we are right. In his words:

Your subconscious does not change the reality of the world around you. It just filters the information that you present to it in order to support your beliefs or the picture that you hold in your mind.”

Back to the office party example, you decided in advance that it would be boring. Therefore, in order to prove you right, your subconscious mind went to work seeking proof to support your belief. There may well have been some fascinating people in that group, but they escaped your notice because of the filters active in your subconscious mind.

Now let’s rewind. As the date of that annual office party approaches, instead of dreading it, you decide that for once you’re going to find a way to enjoy it. You consciously choose to have a good attitude during the weeks leading up to the event.

In this case, when you arrive you may well encounter someone boring, but you also notice laughter around the room. Naturally, you gravitate to the groups of people who are enjoying their conversations, and end up having a pleasant time.

Again, it’s what you asked for, so the universe delivered it.

As you can see, the law of attraction is in large part about awareness. It’s a spiritual principle by which we can learn to stop living by default and open our minds to allow for change and growth.

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Is the Law of Attraction “Magic”?

No, it isn’t your hocus pocus ticket to instantly conjuring up anything and everything that happens to pop into your imagination.

In fact, there are those who dismiss the concept as ridiculous because of this very notion. Their interpretation of the LOA is that you just wish for what you want, and then all you have to do is sit on the sofa and eat bon bons until it magically falls in your lap.

Some even claim that the whole LOA school of thought is detrimental because it will discourage you from taking any action, and therefore you will never achieve anything.

Quite to the contrary, those who do believe in this spiritual law understand that it isn’t an instant solution. It’s a process, and it involves:

Being clear about what you want –
Many people know exactly what they do not want in their lives, yet they have never given serious thought to exactly what they do want.

Asking for it –
Surprisingly, even when we do know what we want, we don’t or won’t ask, most often due to our misguided belief that we are somehow undeserving or unworthy, or that we’re being selfish.

Believing that it is possible –
Starting in childhood we build up our own personal belief system, based not upon what is true about us but upon what we think is true. To believe in what is possible, we must learn to let go of the fears, limiting beliefs, and negative self-talk that holds us back.

The Law of Attraction is all about getting clarity on what’s important to you, being open to possibilities, and being free of limiting beliefs that would make you give up without even trying.

It isn’t that you’re never going to take action. It’s that when an opportunity shows up, it won’t escape your notice. You will recognize it as exactly what you’ve been looking for, and you’ll be inspired to take action. In the process, you move further and further along the path to the growth or change that you desire.

The Real Secret to the LOA

If there is any “secret” to the process, it’s this: The key is in your emotions. No matter what you would like to be, do, or have in your life, what’s most important is how you are going to feel when you manifest your desire.

Here in America at least, one of the most common things people seem to want to manifest is a new car. Maybe you have a burning desire to own one of the most expensive sports cars in the world…

On the other hand, maybe you’re driving a ragged out clunker that is constantly breaking down and leaving you stranded. Your idea of a dream car may be very simple – a decent looking vehicle in tip-top shape that you can rely on to travel wherever you like without worrying.

Whether your priority is ultimate luxury or practical dependability, what’s important is how you will feel when you own this car. When you imagine yourself driving those new wheels, how does that experience feel to you?

For some, the idea of a Porsche or a Lamborghini may be the ultimate thrill. Others may feel equally overjoyed at the idea of a basic but trustworthy car that doesn’t run them broke from repair bills.

When you envision yourself living your dream, what powerful positive emotions well up inside you? The law of attraction isn’t about the thing you want, it’s about how you are going to feel.

What is the Law of Attraction? Learn More!

If you’re ready to find out more about how to put the Law of Attraction to work for you, check out these resources from the Make A Vision Board site:

One fast way to put the LOA principles to work for you is by using affirmations. To help get you started, see 101 Positive Affirmations for some great examples – use ours or learn to write your own.

Another excellent tool you can use is a vision board. Visualization is a very effective mind exercise that can help you retrain your brain. A vision board is the perfect tool to use with the law of attraction because it helps you get a clearer vision of exactly what you want and then stay focused on those intentions.

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